Naruto Shippūden plot
Naruto Shippuden takes place three years after the last episode of Naruto. Sasuke and Orochimaru are still untraceable and Naruto has left Konoha to train under Master Jiraiya for two and a half years. Sakura, meanwhile, has been apprenticed to Tsunade, one of the legendary Sannins, known for her exceptional skills as a Medical Ninja, in order to become a Medical Ninja as well and contribute more to the team. The quest for Sasuke is still central to this story, although a new enemy is added: the Akatsuki. This organization, led by Pain, aims to get hold of the "Bijuu" (literally: beasts with tails) in order to use them as a deadly weapon. Naruto is also on their list, as he houses the "Kyubi". In total, there are nine legendary beasts that the Akatsuki wants to control.